Oba of Benin Banishes Palace Officials Over Allegiance to Ooni of Ife

The Oba of Benin has banished six palace officials after they were found guilty of pledging allegiance to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, contrary to the customs of the Benin Kingdom.

The officials, who were earlier suspended, were accused of engaging in what the palace described as a “sacrilegious” act that defied Benin tradition. A statement released on Monday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Oba of Benin, Osaigbovo Iguobaro, confirmed that the palace officials were expelled for their inappropriate actions.

The dismissed officials include Johnbull Igbinosun, Iduhonre (Ihogbe), S.E. Aigbiremwen, Efesieoghoba (Ogbelaka), along with two other Ogbelaka functionaries, Ogbeide Osagie and Osamudiame Edo. They were found guilty of claiming to represent the Oba of Benin while in the presence of the Ooni of Ife, a move that was deemed disrespectful to the Benin Kingdom.

The committee overseeing the case, led by Chief Ekhoerovbiye Oviasogie, the Uwangue of Benin, held a hearing during which the accused admitted their misconduct. Chief Oviasogie criticized their behavior as a deliberate attempt to dishonor the Benin Kingdom, leading to their banishment from the palace.

As part of the punishment, the officials were stripped of their Benin Royal beads, recognition as palace functionaries, and their traditional titles, which were then returned to the ancestors. Furthermore, they were prohibited from participating in any traditional ceremonies or rituals within the Benin Kingdom.

After the pronouncement of their banishment, the officials were escorted out of the palace by chiefs and traditional seers, who invoked ancestral spirits to bear witness to the expulsion.